The Hirakud Dam in Odisha is the longest dam in India with a length of around 25.8 km, while the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is the highest dam in India. The Kallanai Dam in Tamil Nadu is the oldest dam in India and was built over the Cauvery River around 2,000 years ago. These dams are significant engineering marvels that have been built to harness the power of rivers for irrigation, power generation, and flood control.
Table of Contents
Longest Dam in India: Hirakud Dam
The Hirakud Dam is India’s longest dam. The Hirakud Dam is being built on the Mahanadi River in the state of Odisha’s Sambalpur district. The Hirakud Dam is 25.79 km long overall and 4.8 km long at its main dam. Hirakud Dam was completed in 1953.
Highest Dam in India: Tehri Dam
With a height of 260.5 metres, Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India and the 12th highest or tallest dam in the world. The Tehri Dam is located in the town of New Tehri, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, on the Bhagirathi River. The Tehri dam has a height of 260 metres and a length of 575 metres. The initial stage of the Tehri Dam was completed in 2006. It is a component of THDC India Ltd. and the Tehri hydropower complex.
Oldest Dam in India: Kallanai Dam
The Kallanai Dam on the Kaveri River is the oldest dam in India. It is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The government of Tamil Nadu currently oversees the Kallanai Dam, which was completed between 100 BC and 100 AD.
Key Points
| Highest Dam in India | Tehri Dam | Height: 260.5 meters Length: 575 meters River: Bhagirathi River Location: Uttarakhand Year of completion:2006 (1st phase) |
| Longest Dam in India | Hirakud Dam | Total Length: 25.79 km (16.03 mile) Length of Main Dam: 4.8 km (3.0 mile) River: Mahanadi Location: Odisha Year of completion:1953 |
| Oldest Dam in India | Kallanai Dam | River: Kaveri Location: Tamil Nadu Year of completion: 100 BC –100 AD |